- Details
- Category: Industry News
Alliance Bus Group, one of the nation’s leading supplier of bus transportation products, is now offering an extensive line of products designed specifically to enable operators to protect their passengers and drivers from COVID-19 within their vehicles.
Alliance’s comprehensive protection plan covers all high-contact areas involved with transporting passengers in an effort to provide the safest possible transportation environment.
"Whether you’re concerned about decontaminating all contact areas within the bus, protecting the driver, reducing passenger exposure via contact points and re-circulating air, or all of the above, we have tools available to assist you in safely running your operation," said Executive Vice President Andy Rolfe.
He continues, “A big part of our ‘Along for the Whole Ride’ philosophy is anticipating our customers’ needs and reacting accordingly. We hope these safety systems can help passengers and drivers see the commitment all operators place on health and safety and ultimately lead to improved ridership levels and more transportation across the country in these unprecedented times.”
According to Alliance, their system utilizes a four-step ‘Green Light’ methodology that begins with a thorough decontamination of the vehicle using a true gas that is most effective in penetrating all areas. Step two is ensuring the driver is protected utilizing an adaptable and customizable enclosure. The passenger area is also retro-fitted to ensure social distancing as well as making obvious recommended best practices. Finally, A/C purification systems make sure air that is re-circulated is as clean and safe as possible in the current operating environment.
These solutions are applicable to all types of vehicles—including mobility vans, shuttle buses, tour coaches, and paratransit buses—and across all industries.
Alliance continues to stay on top of the latest emerging trends and technologies in transportation and will be updating the website busstopcoronavirus.com in real time as more information becomes available.
Visit busstopcoronavirus.com or call 855.791.0060 for more information.
[06.05.20]
- Details
- Category: Industry News
The BLS Company recently announced that Cristina Giles has joined as the new director of business development in California. BLS has 12 company-owned locations across the U.S., including California and its corporate headquarters in Hicksville, N.Y.
Giles has more than 25 years of experience in the travel industry, including as senior business development manager for American Express GBT and VP of sales for Sunny’s Worldwide Transportation Services where she was responsible for business development in California. Additionally, she was a national account and operations manager for BCD Travel, as well as a former corporate travel manager.
Dir. of Business Development Cristina Giles
Giles also worked for Carey International for almost 14 years. In her role as director of national sales for California, she held the number one sales position for a handful of years and was the recipient of the “Top Sales Person of the Year” award.
"Expanding our sales team during these uncertain times is essential so we can educate travel mangers on how chauffeured car is the safest option for ground transportation," said COO Eric Okon.
Okon says that Giles has had great success in building relationships with clients and driving strong sales achievements.
Giles adds that she is very excited to join The BLS Company family and looks forward to further success with her colleagues and teammates.
Visit blsco.com for more information.
[06.05.20]
- Details
- Category: Industry News
On June 2, the Minority Limousine Operators of America (MLOA) held their latest in a series of weekly meetings designed to keep their membership up to date on the industry during the COVID-19 crisis. The afternoon online meeting—the association’s first held via Zoom—was attended by operators from coast to coast, along with CD Editor Rob Smentek.
With the issue of EIDL and PPP “beaten to death” during the past weeks’ meetings, MLOA President Darrell Anderson of A-National Limousine expressed his desire to shift gears a bit and turn the focus of the group towards the future. As such, he welcomed MLOA Founder and current Board Member Maurice Brewster of Mosaic Global Transportation for a presentation to help operators get out of their comfort zone and look for new opportunities.
Mosaic Global Transportation CEO Maurice Brewster
“The 800-pound gorilla in the room is the fact that we don’t know what tomorrow will bring,” said Brewster. “If we don’t have a paradigm change, we’re all going to be hurt.”
Brewster then began a slideshow presentation that he shared with GBTA members the previous week. The three-tiered session offered perspectives on the new norm, including new business opportunities; the essentials of what your business needs to do to protect clients and employees; and preparation for a seemingly inevitable second wave of the virus.
With 92 percent of business travel cancelled, and corporate bookings virtually non-existent, Brewster said that “now is the time to collaborate and share best practices—we are stronger than numbers.” Taking that to heart, he encouraged MLOA member to seek business with hospitals as Mosaic has had recent success with non-emergency patient transportation. Brewster pointed out that the luxury ground transportation industry can offer documentation of cleanliness and safety to hospitals, as well as patients and their families, as opposed to the gamble they take with TNCs, taxis, and other non-emergency medical transportation providers.
Next, Brewster’s presentation offered six essentials he believes need to be done to keep your employees and clients safe. These include preparing your building, prepping your workforce, controlling access to buildings and vehicles, developing a social distancing plan, reducing touch points and increasing cleaning, and over-communication with clients and staff. Training, following, and documenting these procedures to the letter will not only ease clients’ concerns—thereby enhancing your image—but also protect you from liability.
To conclude his presentation, Brewster encouraged his fellow operators to make preparations for an anticipated surge of cases again in the fall. “Don’t be afraid; be prepared,” he advised. With the current precautions currently being undertaken, both in terms of safety and fiscal matters, the industry will likely be much better prepared for the next round of the virus. Brewster urged members to listen to scientists instead of “their gut” when it comes to making decisions about COVID. He also suggested that companies and associations negotiate a deal for the industry to get certified by the Global Biorisk Advisory Council. This organization provides education, training, certification, response management, and crisis consulting for situations where environments require a much higher level of cleaning, disinfection, and restoration.
As the meeting commenced, MLOA board members were welcomed to speak and address the attendees. Newest Board Member Maya Adrine of Golden Limousine International used the opportunity to thank the organization and its membership for attending these meetings and spreading their insight. Lastly, the MLOA membership committee—Reggie Tymus of Capital City Limousine and Tiffany Hinton of MOTEV—informed the group that new onboarding processes are in effect for membership renewal.
Visit mlooa.org for more information, including a recording of each weekly meeting.
[06.05.20]